CADCOM's Fatherhood Initiative hosts first job fair in Norristown

21st Century Media Photo
USM Human Resource Department members Beth Hill and Jennifer Thompson (right) talk with visitor during a Jobs Fair hosted by CADCOM at the Montgomery County — Norristown Public Library in Norristown Aug. 28.

“We truly believe in giving folks a second chance,” Tuerk said, about midway through the three-hour event, with more than two dozen applicants having stopped by his table at Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library.

“There’s no questions asked. You come in and do your job and that’s what it’s all about.”

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According to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ 2013 Recidivism Report, the rate of re-incarcerations in Pennsylvania has remained virtually unchanged in the past decade.

Many believe the number would decline sharply if a guy who’s spent time behind bars could be given what he needs most when he’s trying to rebuild a normal life: a job.

In addition to J.P. Mascaro, companies who agreed that ex-offenders are eminently employable included Einstein Health Care Network; Septa; Pennsylvania National Guard; Security Advisers; US Maintenance, a division of EMCOR Group, Inc.; Brown’s ShopRite and Chick-fil-A at The King of Prussia Plaza.

The amiable Geraldine Savoy of Micro-Enterprise Resource Center in Norristown was sharing her group’s can-do ethic with many attendees, who numbered in the high 80s.

“If you have a passion for something, we show you there is a way to earn money with it,” Savoy said.

A manager from Sonic Drive-in of East Norriton had dropped off a stack of applications that were quickly snapped up out in the lobby.

“Not everyone here today is an ex-offender, and you don’t have to be an ex-offender for us to help you, but that seems to be the highest segment of the population we see and that has the hardest time getting a job, and we want them to know there is this opportunity,” said Ted LeBlanc, job developer for sponsor Fatherhood Initiative, a resource offered to men through CADCOM (Community Action Development Commission.)

“We’re the middle man, trying to hook up our clients with these good people out there who may hire them.”

Because of the Fatherhood Initiative’s job placement efforts, many clients were at last finding a way to defeat insurmountable obstacles.

“It’s hard for everybody to get the job they want, but it’s harder for a guy coming out of prison to get any job,” LeBlanc said. “It’s like a stone wall. If you’re up against a stone wall trying to get a job as an ex-offender you keep banging your head on the wall. But the only thing you’re doing is hurting your head; you’re not going to knock that wall down. We try to help them find a way to get over that wall. It’s a challenge but it’s not impossible, because you have folks like the Mascaros, US Maintenance, Einstein. They’re making a commitment because they know full well that we’re asking them to hire ex-offenders.”

Jeffrey Tucker, a Fatherhood Initiative client for more than a year, had made connections with every employer at the library and was on his way to another job fair in Eagleville.

“Public transportation is the best I have right now, but as long as the bus gets there on time I should be good,” said Tucker, by far the best-dressed job seeker spotted at the event. “I’m out of work so I have to get a job.”

For more information on the Fatherhood Initiative, call 610-277-6363, ext. 133.